Polish White Bean Soup

Surprisingly, the Poles eat many variations of bean soup, but we created this Polish White Bean Soup Recipe that is perfect for a cold winter night.  You can use any kind of beans, but cannellini and navy beans work best.  Make sure you really soak the beans over night since the fast cook method (boil in water and let sit for a few hours) never seems to work as well.  We added a cup of sauerkraut that really blends the flavors, which is also a very popular addition to bean soup recipes in Poland!

• 2 cups dried beans (Cannellini, Navy or Northern Beans)
• 3.5 Quarts water or chicken brothPolish White Bean Soup Recipe
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 leeks, minced
• 2 celery sticks, diced
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 can sauerkraut
• bone from 1/2 cooked ham 
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2-3 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 1/4 tablespoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon of chili pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 can sauerkraut
• 1/2 lb sausage or bacon (optional)

WHITE BEAN SOUP RECIPE DIRECTIONS 

1. Rinse beans.  Place in a large bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Soak overnight.  Drain, and add more water, boil on medium high then reduce and simmer while you prepare the rest.  2.  Melt butter in a large pot.  Add onion and leek and sauté until browned.  Add rest of ingredients, including ham bone, all seasonings, and beans.  Cover and simmer until beans are tender--could take two hours.
3.  Remove ham bone.
4.  Taste and add salt, pepper, to taste.
5.  Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.

Source:

http://www.polskafoods.com/polish-recipes/white-bean-soup-recipe